USFWS Opens Statewide Permit Path for Common Raven Conflicts

States have a new permitting route for dealing with common ravens that damage livestock operations or threaten sensitive wildlife such as greater sage-grouse. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced September 14 that eligible state wildlife and agriculture agencies may obtain statewide depredation permits and issue subpermits to eligible landowners or other parties.

This is not an open season on ravens. Common ravens remain protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. When non-lethal measures are insufficient, the Service may authorize limited lethal take. A landowner facing a conflict still needs the appropriate authorization; the announcement does not give every property owner permission to shoot protected birds.

The change puts similar conflicts under a statewide permit framework instead of relying on repetitive requests across multiple locations. Federal oversight remains, while state agencies gain a way to coordinate responses and administer subpermits. The Service says the approach builds on a black vulture permitting pilot.

For ranchers and wildlife managers, the practical issue is getting a lawful response to a documented conflict without unnecessary administrative delay. Protecting livestock and vulnerable wildlife can require targeted predator control, but the authority and conditions matter. Anyone seeking help should work through the relevant state agency and the Service's raven conflict management guidance rather than treating this announcement as a stand-alone take permit.